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Why am I such a sucker for well written, well acted, deliciously dramatic shows with creative twists? Recently, I had a healthy argument with my friend over the type of shows we each watch. She prefers the fluff comedy shows like Modern Family, Parks and Rec, and so on and so forth. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure these are great shows, but I was trying to tell her to expand her horizons and experience shows that make you think, are visually creative, and that inspire people in the film industry (like what we're trying to be) into making your craft better. And I have found another little morsel for you guys to consider watching!
Keep in mind I've never gotten a chance to see the first season of this show. Only like two episodes and I started watching the second season and beyond. That alone should tell you volumes about this show even though I'm one of those anal types who likes to watch every episode in order before jumping in. I still want to and in the back of my mind it's bothering me, but that's no reason to not enjoy it.
No, this show is not about men's or women's business wear. And no, this show is not about government agents. This is a show about lawyers. Yes, I know, the same old cliched lawyer show that seems to be steam rolling out of the studio factors on its little assembly lines. But let me assure you that this isn't any regular old tv show about lawyers. First, it's about a cocky, bored kid who has the unique gift of photographic memory. He can memorize the entire law book and quote it verbatim.
Recently getting into trouble, the kid, by the name of Mike Ross, runs into Harvey Specter, the most famous closer in the lawyer universe. A college drop out, Mike impresses Harvey and ends up working at the best law firm in the business but as episodes go on, it's clear that Mike is a brilliant associate but he's always a whisper away from getting caught and both him and Harvey going down in a fiery pit.
If that sounds like a lot, don't take it that way. This is a show that's light without being too light, funny without being campy, but it can be serious without seeming like it's rubbing your nose in its moral high road. The chemistry, dynamics, and storylines are so rich and perfectly executed that I continue to tune in every week because it's just that good.
At its epicenter, this is a show about Mike Ross played perfectly by Patrick J. Adams. He could so easily fall into one category. He could be a stoner, a low life, a criminal, an arrogant jack
But Mike is about so much more than that. He's a loyal grandson, (because his parents were murdered by a drunk driver), he's a loyal friend, he helps his friends out whenever they need it and when his friend went after a girl he liked, he stepped back, and he's a hard worker. He's ready to help Harvey with whatever he needs done. This doesn't make a boyscout though. He'll whine, moan, and complain about doing Harvey's work for him or when things don't go his way on a case, he'll make it known that he's not happy. But if someone's having a bad day, Mike will step up to do what he can to make it better. He's just that type of guy. Did I mention he was loyal?
Because Harvey took a chance on him, Mike will stand by Harvey day and night no matter if he sometimes comes off as a disapproving father figure. Since Harvey gave him a chance, cleaned him up, gave him some responsibility, Harvey could very well be seen as a father figure (but I assure you, he most definitely is not).
But that's not to say that Mike isn't without his flaws. He can come off as a cocky little kid who wants to stomp his feet whenever things aren't working out the way they should. And since brains and looks are a serious rare thing to come by, he is a ladies man and can pick up women. But, he's also a jerk to them sometimes. Not on purpose, but there are times where I want to cringe because I know he shouldv'e done the right thing and he didn't. Mike is one of those rare characters that can't fit into any paticular mold and it makes him that much more interesting to watch because partly, you don't know what to expect, and partly because he's more closer to human than just a name on a page or an actor on the screen.
And I have to give a huge digital standing ovation to Patrick J. Adams because he really does play this complicated character with a sort of ease as if he'd been born for the role. Also, he's one of those actors where you see the character first, not the actor. It took me a while to remember where I've seen his face before. He had a guess spot on Lost and on Pretty Little Liars and I'm sure while watching, I was like hey! That's so and so, but all I remember is the character, not necessarily him. And that's the greatest an actor can get.
It would be very easy for me to say that this show is all about one guy, Mike Ross, but it's not. It's as much about Harvey Specter as it is about Mike. Like I mentioned, Harvey is one of the best closers in the lawyering world. In the very first episode, he's closing a really big deal and though he does it with lying, he still got the job done. That one little scene could tell you about who Harvey Specter is better than any review I give could ever hope to achieve.
Harvey is one of those characters where you know he's a butthole, you know that he could give a flying rat about anyone, but you just know somewhere in the back of your mind that he actually does care. He's one of those macho type of guys that wants to keep a brave face on and keep everyone at arm's length but then he gets a look on his face, or he smiles a certain way, and you know that there's someone human beneath the armor.
Harvey is quick witted and makes a lot of comments at someone else's expense. If anything, there's a handful of things that Harvey is willing to show emotion over. If someone messes with Mike or his boss Jessica, he will go to extreme lengths over them. Or if he feels like someone has betrayed him or isn't loyal, he'll take it personally and sometimes he'll actually throw a punch.
Now, Harvey is played by Gabriel Macht and the fact that I've spent three paragraphs talking about the character and not the actor should tell you something. Of course, I'm a little biased because I'm a sucker for tragic characters who doesn't like to show emotion and yet it's written all over their faces. BUT, that doesn't mean Gabriel doesn't play him with such passion and charm, that I honestly see the character more than I see the actor.
Harvey is just one of those characters that you want to watch everyday because he can be a jerk like the rest of them, but there's a method to his being a jerk. And it's truly entertaining to watch.
Okay, let me ask you all a question. Am I weird for liking the villain of movies and shows? If it does, I'm sorry but they're just so darn entertaining to watch. On this show, that villain iss Louis Litt played by Rick Hoffman. Let me remind you that I'm joining this program late in the game so I was completely unprepared for all that was Louis Litt. If you truly want to see who's a butthole on this show, look no further than him.
He just doesn't care. That's the most accurate description that I can muster. He will dress someone down without abandon, regardless of feelings or what people think of him. He truly doesn't care. He's the type who will start off saying how nice someone's doing in their work, and when they ask really, he's like "no, are you kidding? Get out of my face." He's that cold and I just absolutely love it! I know, I know, I'm supposed to hate it! But I just can't. He's a whirlwhind of mean who's overly ambitious, a terrible brown noser, always kissing up to someone, always trying to prove he's the best at what he does, and is constantly in a competition with others he thinks is good which is mostly Harvey.
And these are terrible qualities in a person, but Rick does something unexpected. He makes you care about Louis. I don't know if he has daddy issues, but Louis is the type of guy who probably grew up with little to none friends. Who got picked on and sent home a lot, who hid in the bathroom during lunch, until he got to college where he found like minded people who liked to argue, but they still thought he was weird so he never truly knew how to form real friendships. He never gained that extra spark in DNA that makes people able to get insta friends. So, he did what anyone would do. If they couldn't love him, they'd fear him. And fear him, they did.
He's in charge of all associates so he runs them like a boot camp. Constantly keeping them on their feet, making them stay late, making them do all kinds of work. And he's conniving. He once bugged Harvey's office so he could be in on the loop because they do like to keep him out. But with his icy demeanor, who wouldn't keep him out? But then certain scenes come along and you see Louis get rejected by a girl or by Harvey or Mike and his feelings are truly hurt. More than anything, he just wants someone to really be his friend but it's definitely not going to happen at the office!
I just say, give a digital brava to Rick Hoffman because anyone can play a villain and have everyone hate them, but not a lot can play a villain and make you care.
I'm not going to talk about the women of this show because though they're great, they just can't measure up. I know my inner feminist is angry about that, but they're not. Well, except for Donna. She's Harvey's secretary and she's a hoot but in the grand scheme of things, she doesn't really have a meaty role. None of the women do, it's mostly about the guys in this show. Unfortunate, but no less entertaining.
But if none of these profiles have convinced you to watch this show, please just watch for the sheer tension between Louis and Harvey. I swear, it's like their brothers. Harvey is the oldest, the over achiever, the one the parents dote over because he does everything first. And Louis is the younger one playing catch up and always doing things to get a rise out of the older brother or parents just so he could get some kind of recognition.
Of anyone at the office, Louis cares and respects Harvey. It actually strays into gay territory, that has me wondering if Louis might be harboring some feelings for Harvey. Which is probably why they introduced a woman into Louis' life. Someone just as weird and fetish as he is! But honestly, if Harvey told Louis to jump, he would. He respects him that much. Of anyone's approval, Louis really wants Harvey's but Louis does things that Harvey can't forgive right away or just outright yells and wants to punch Louis.
That kind of tension and brotherly squabble between the two of them is just too darn delicious. And it keeps me tuning in because Louis is so obviously a lap dog to Harvey who doesn't mind kicking it. And yet Louis still trails back because Harvey might turn around and do something that suggests he doesn't outright hate Louis. That maybe Harvey would be upset if Louis weren't there for him to make fun of. It's truly something to see and I absolutely adore the scenes when they are in the room together. It's almost like lightning in a bottle. You know it's dangerous, and yet you want it!
Please give this show a chance. You will not be sorry.
Well, hope you enjoyed this review. And I hope you get a chance to watch it!
